10 Best Expert-Approved Scalp Exfoliation Scrubs For 2024
Detox your scalp effortlessly with these exfoliators for healthy hair.
Tere Pruett is a certified trichologist from the United States Trichology Institute, with 9 years of experience. She also has a graduate education in phlebotomy. She is a master educator for the United States Trichology Institute and began traveling all over the United States teaching and facilitating trichology and hands-on clinical classes.
Read full bio of Tere Pruett
Experience: 2 yearsPooja is a Mass Communications and Psychology graduate from St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, and has two years of experience as a content writer. Her education has helped her develop the perfect balance between what the reader wants to know and what the reader has to know.
Read full bio of Pooja Karkala
Experience: 3 yearsKrati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches.
Read full bio of Krati Darak
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
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Say goodbye to the flaky and itchy scalp and get your hands on the best scalp exfoliator ever. These scalp scrubs exfoliate the dead skin cells, excess sebum, and dirt from the scalp. They also remove all the bacteria-filled clogs from the hair follicles and detox the scalp thoroughly. Keeping this in mind, we have made a list of the 10 must-have scalp exfoliators that can give you fresh, clean, and healthy-looking scalp and hair instantly. You can also learn about scalp exfoliation better here in this article. So go ahead and scroll down.
In This Article
What Is Scalp Exfoliation?
Scalp exfoliation involves applying a cream or a mask that helps remove excess oil, dandruff, product build-up, and dead skin cells from your scalp. Ideally, the cream contains solid granules that get rid of the stubborn dandruff or other impurities stuck to the roots of your hair. A scalp exfoliation routine is key to getting healthier and shinier hair.
Don’t know how to exfoliate your scalp to stimulate hair growth and promote scalp health? We’ve got you covered! Check out the next section.
How To Exfoliate Your Scalp
Step 1:
Divide your hair into four sections right after you step out of the shower when your hair is wet. Apply the scrub to your scalp with your fingertips.
Step 2:
Use a comb or a hair brush to tease your scalp. This will dislodge the dead skin cells that will then appear on your scalp in the form of flakes.
Step 3:
If you are using a scalp exfoliation cream, massage the mixture onto your scalp gently in a circular motion.
Step 4:
Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing with hot water. Finish the process by conditioning your hair to prevent damage.
Now that you know how to exfoliate your scalp, check out the best scalp exfoliation scrubs you can lay your hands on.
Top 10 Scalp Exfoliation Scrubs For Healthy Hair To Buy In 2024
1.Best Overall:Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
Have a dry and itchy scalp? Here’s a product that solves your scalp issues in no time. This creamy shampoo removes dead skin and impurities from your scalp. It is clinically proven to increase scalp hydration and boost hair density by 3x. It soothes itchiness and prevents scalp irritation by restoring moisture to it. It contains natural ingredients like binchotan charcoal, coconut oil, peppermint oil, and tea tree oil that exfoliate your itchy scalp and hydrate them. Its antimicrobial properties reduce scalp infection and flakiness while promoting healthy hair.
- 98% naturally derived ingredients
- Free of silicones and parabens
- Maintains the pH level of your scalp
- Makes your hair feel fresh and clean
- Ideal for oily and dry scalps
- Expensive
Quick Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 1,930 Amazon acclaimed reviews, this product is sure to find a place in everyone’s shopping bag.
2.Best For Oily Scalp:Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub With Sea Salt
Treat your sensitive scalp with this purifying scrub that contains natural sea salt. This oceanic ingredient purifies and restores balance in sensitive and oily scalps. It refreshes and lightens your scalp by washing away all impurities. It also balances the moisture levels and keeps your hair and scalp hydrated throughout the day. This multi-award winning scalp soothing treatment detoxifies and revitalizes your scalp skin and improves its overall health.
- Exfoliates oily scalp
- Soothes itchy scalp
- Restores and maintains scalp balance
- Requires very little product per use
- Prevents dandruff
- Sticky consistency
3.Best Non-Drying:R+Co Crown Scalp Scrub
This purifying and soothing scrub exfoliates and cleanses your scalp, leaving your hair feeling clean and refreshed. It contains rare botanical extracts of aloe vera, passionflower, mango, and ginger root. These nourishing ingredients add strength and luster to your hair. This scrub softens and smoothes your hair right from the first use. This exfoliating hair care is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Multiple reviewers mention that they have observed fewer flakes and reduced itchiness after using this scrub once.
- Promotes healthy hair
- Helps hair retain moisture
- Softens your tresses
- A little product goes a long way
- Difficult to rinse off
Fun Fact4.Best Sea Salt Cleanser:Purorganic Pure Cell Natural Vitamin Salt Cleanser
No products found.
This multipurpose cleanser contains high-quality natural ingredients that get rid of impurities from your scalp. It is loaded with sea salts that give it a grainy texture and help in effective and gentle scalp exfoliation. The nourishing oils and minerals in this scrub heal and purify your scalp and balance the moisture levels from root to tip. It clears dead skin cells and product build-up, leaving your hair scalp healthy and flake-free.
- Leaves your hair looking silky and shiny
- Removes dirt and impurities
- Promotes hair growth
- Adds shine to your hair
- Availability issues
5.Best For Exfoliation:dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub
dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub is a natural exfoliant formulated to remove dead skin cells and product build-up. It unclogs the pores and leaves you with a healthy and clean scalp. The nourishing ingredients like Himalayan pink salt, aloe vera, and avocado oil in it help soothe your scalp. This clarifying scalp treatment scrub balances the pH level of your scalp, improving its overall health. It also contains color-locking technology, which helps keep your hair color intact for weeks. Many reviewers claim that the product deep cleanses the scalp and rids it of flakes and oil.
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Imparts shine to your locks
- Antimicrobial properties
- Clears dandruff
- Prevents itchiness
- Very big granules
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has garnered over 1,127 positive reviews on Amazon, and the number continues to grow.
6.Best For All Hair Types:IGK Low Key Cleansing Walnut Scalp Scrub
This cooling scrub is designed to eliminate impurities from your scalp. It is packed with nutrients and sea salts that gently soothe a sensitive and over-processed scalp. It contains apple cider vinegar and walnut oil that nourish your scalp to give you soft, silky, and shiny hair. It also contains peppermint oil, walnut shell powder, and silica that help maintain a clean scalp while strengthening your hair follicles.
- Suitable for all hair types
- Boosts hair volume
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Provides UV and heat protection
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Expensive
7.Best For Dry Scalp:L’Oreal EverFresh Micro-Exfoliating Scrub
This micro-exfoliating scrub gently removes impurities, dirt, and excess oils from your scalp that weigh down your hair. It contains apricot seeds that gently exfoliate your scalp. It controls oil secretion and flakes for up to three days and leaves your hair feeling clean and refreshed.
- Good quantity
- Softens your hair
- Soothes dry scalp
- Hydrates your scalp
- Contains too many chemicals
8.Best For Damaged Hair:Kopari Coconut Crush Scrub
This coconut crush scrub is an excellent formula for sensitive skin. It is a multipurpose scrub that can be used both on the hair and the skin. It exfoliates your scalp to give you smoother and silkier hair. It contains pieces of Tahitian coconut shell that help in scrubbing away the dirt and impurities from your scalp. It is made with 100% organic coconut oil, coconut milk, and vitamin E that moisturize your scalp. It also contains restorative proteins and antioxidants that soothe a dry and flaky scalp.
- Repairs damaged hair
- Exfoliates flaky scalp
- Softens dry strands
- Free of silicone and parabens
- Pleasant fragrance
- Can weigh your hair down
9.Best For Itchy Scalp:Philip Kingsley Exfoliating Scalp Mask
This exfoliating mask is ideal for treating dandruff. It soothes and clears your scalp of any flakes, redness, or irritation. It removes the dead skin cells, product build-up, and other impurities that are clogging your roots. It also controls sebum production to a great extent. This intense formula is suitable for all hair types.
- Treats scalp infection
- Promotes hair growth
- Soothes itchy scalp
- Strengthens the roots
- Availability issues
10.Best Cruelty-Free:Oribe Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scrub
Remove excess oil from the scalp without any irritation with the Oribe Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scrub. This dermatologist-tested exfoliating scrub has a powerful combination of both chemical and physical exfoliating agents. They remove dirt, cleanse pores, and nourish your hair. The reviewers on Amazon praise the product’s ability to alleviate itchiness and leave behind a squeaky clean scalp. Peppermint oil infused in the scrub provides instant cooling and promotes healthy hair. Caffeine rejuvenates hair follicles and energizes the scalp. Moreover, the extracts of lychee, watermelon, and edelweiss flower that form the Oribe’s Signature Complex protect your tresses from photoaging, protein loss, and oxidative stress.
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Gluten-free
- Parabens
- Sulfate-free
- Pleasant scent
- Dermatologist-tested
- None
The Bottom Line
Scalp exfoliation scrubs prevent bacteria from clogging the pores while detoxing your scalp in the most effective way. These exfoliation scrubs remove dead skin cells and impurities from your scalp while promoting healthy hair and skin. If you have an oily or itchy scalp, these scrubs can be especially beneficial as they wash away dirt, oil, and impurities, leaving your hair follicles feeling fresh and rejuvenated. For a deep scalp cleanse and exfoliation, the Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo is a great choice, known for its detoxifying properties. Whereas, for a luxurious and effective scalp treatment, consider the R+Co Crown Scalp Scrub. And for a gentle and hydrating exfoliation, the Kopari Coconut Crush Scrub offers a tropical solution. However, you should steer clear of scalp exfoliation scrubs that might disturb the pH level of your scalp. Invest in dermatologist-recommended scrubs packed with clinically tested ingredients if you have sensitive scalp and fragile hair to avoid further damage. Tere Pruett, certified trichologist, notes, “When your scalp is healthy and pH-balanced, it will help promote healthy, strong growing hair.”
Why Trust StyleCraze?
StyleCraze has curated a list of the best scalp exfoliation scrubs. Author Pooja Karkala is a skin and hair care enthusiast. She has carefully researched to bring forth a list that features the best scalp exfoliation scrubs. If you try the products, they will help you achieve a fresh and clean scalp devoid of dandruff, dead skin cells, and dirt.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I exfoliate my scalp?
Exfoliate your scalp not more than once or twice weekly. Exfoliation for healthy hair helps clear the excess scalp oil and sebum. However, regular exfoliation can make the scalp panic and produce even more oil.
Do you use a scalp scrub before or after shampoo?
Use scalp scrubs before applying shampoo or conditioner.
Are scalp exfoliation scrubs good for natural hair?
Yes. Scalp exfoliation keeps the scalp healthy and improves hair growth. So, exfoliating your scalp once in a while will enhance any type of hair, whether fine or curly.
Can scrubbing the scalp too hard cause hair loss?
Yes. Over scrubbing or over-exfoliating your scalp will make your strands fall out.
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